Foodie Friday: Spotlight on Tomatoes

My favorite time of year, August and September when the tomatoes are big, beautiful, and sweet. In fact I stood in line today, for 15 minutes at The Farmer's Market to pick up a few. So worth the time.  Here's 10 juicy recipes to add to your late summer menu planning.

Tomato Tini

Here's a summery spin on a classic cocktail. I just like saying the name. :) A fun drink to serve out by the grill.

Delish

Heirloom Tomato Pesto Pan Pizza 

Made with fresh basil and fresh mozzerella, this dish is a beauty. Drool worthy! 

Broma Bakery

Tomato Vinaigrette

I can't wait to make some. It will add pizazz to your basic green salad,  and marinate meat and fish, This five star recipe will be made on repeat in my kitchen!

Feasting at Home

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes With Burrata

Simple, fresh, and colorful. It's the perfect summer appetizer!

Half Baked Harvest

Spicy Rosemary Tomato Peach Chutney

It's sweet, tangy, and just a touch spicy. It's perfect for putting on toasted garlic bread, fish, and more. A little something different, I thought. 

Running To The Kitchen

    

Lemon Pasta With Tomatoes & Basil
A simple and easy summer dinner that's light and so flavorful.

Completely Delicious

Grilled Romaine & Tomato Salad

The perfect summer dinner! This recipe calls for both Ranch Dressing and Blue Cheese dressing. Just delicious and decadent.

How Sweet Eats

Heirloom Tomato Tart

Just look at the ombre effect on this tart! This will be a winner with whomever you serve it to.  It's topped off with feta or goat cheese.

What's Gabby Cooking

The Best Summer Panzanella Salad
Is there really a bad Panzanella Salad? The addition of avacado slices to this recipe must be delish! I just want some now.

How Sweet Eats

Mediterranean Prosciutto Buratta Flat Bread

This recipe just has to be delicious. It features so many good things like, prosciutto. artichoke hearts,  pesto, burrata, mozzarella, and parmesean cheeses. A beautiful dish!

Aberdeen Kitchen

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Foodie Friday: You'll Scream For This Ice Cream

Summer Sips & Dips: Recipes And More!

{ Via Sunny Gu }

Happy hour cocktails on the patio or terrace is something I look forward to each day. I mean what can be better? This recipe roundup features both sips and dips. I believe in keeping summer snacks simple, so dips are perfect. I just try not to think about "double dipping."  In addition, I have added a few fab finds that will enhance any happy hour.

Frozen Hula Hoop Cocktail

This cocktail is a sweet and tart blend of fresh raspberries, pineapple and lemon paired with white rum, dry red wine, and Aperol. It's mixed in the blender and served slushy. How refreshing!

Food & Wine

DuraClear Outdoor Drinkware

In the words of Williams Sonoma...."Quench your thirst in style this summer with DuraClear. It's food-grade plastic is BPA-free and won't crack, shatter, break, cloud or discolor, meaning you can sip back and relax wherever your summer takes you."

Williams Sonoma

Farmers Market Hummus

The Farmers Market is my happy place, and this hummus is my happy meal or snack. Once I found out what is in some store bought hummus like corn oil, I started making my own, and never looked back. This looks like heaven. 

Half Baked Harvest

Poolside Popsicle Spritzers

Raise your hand if a boozy popcicle sounds delish! The pop can be made ahead of time, it keeps your wine of choice (I vote for Prosecco) cool, and infused with tropical flavors. Not to mention, how party-licious it looks.

Delish

Cocktail Napkins
I love a cotton cocktail napkin outdoors. It is unexpected, but ever so nice. Furbish fabrics come in the happiest patterns.

Furbish Studio

Whipped Grilled Corn Dip
Just in time for corn season! It's made with ricotta cheese, lime, cilantro, garlic and more. How delightful!

 How Sweet Eats

Bamboo Serving Plate With Mesh Food Dome

A brilliant idea, and good looking, too! For $20, it makes a great host gift.

World Market

Drunken Tequila Mangoes

What a fun and fruity idea! If you aren't one to do shots, here is an elevated taste of tequila. It will be your forever party trick. Can't wait to make them for the kids when they visit.

Delish

Hot Lobster Roll Dip

Oh just give me a baguette (or a spoon) and a bottle of wine. This dip is a dream for lobster lovers.

How Sweet Eats

Sour Cherry Mojitos

This is a celebration in a glass. It's a mix of vodk,   fresh cherries, and even more fruit. Get the recipe at..

Martha Stewart

BLT Dip

I dare someone not to like this. With all the flavors of our fave BLT sandwich, it's perfect for tomato season. Mind if I eat mine by the spoon?

Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen

Scalloped Lacquer Tray

Good looking for every season, and available in more colors. Now that it is on sale, it's also a chic choice for a host gift.

Mark & Graham

Flowerfetti Ice Cubes

Cute cocktails just taste better. Aren't these the prettiest? So perfect for your next patio party.

Sur La Table

Rainbow Sangria

I am obsessed with the look of this stylish sangria. It is oh so colorful. The secret is NOT to muddle the fruit.

Gimme Some Oven

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Disposable Dishes For Summer Soirées

All About Coffee: Recipes & More

Let me begin by saying that I am not a coffee drinker. Wish I was. If you add a little liquor to it, and top it with crema or whipped cream, you could twist my arm. But today, on "National Coffee Day," I am giving us all a little caffeine fix with recipes that promise to perk you up.

Espresso Martini

Let's start with a cocktail, shall we? I am not a martini drinker, but the night I tried one of these, I had two and a half. It consists of cold espresso, vodka, Kahlua, and honey vanilla syrup, Cheers!

Half Baked Harvest

Caramel Frappuccino

Heavy cream, coffee, and caramel sauce. Sounds like the triple threat, and a Starbucks moment at home.

Recipe Rebel

Florentine Chocolate Tart With Coffee Meringue

Is this not an elegant dish? That pastry crust looks amazing.

Delicious

Coffee Brown Sugar Bourbon Rib Roast

I am putting a pin in this recipe for the holidays ahead. It's a special and well seasoned dish with a crackley crust. Just Yum!

Sunset Magazine

Nespresso Machines
If you have been wanting one, now's the time. Bloomie's has some on sale with an additional 20% off. The full price models will also be 20% off at checkout. We loved ours. Shop soon. The sale is over this Sunday.

Bloomingdale's

Coconut Iced Coffee…with Mini Chocolate Glazed Coffee Doughnuts

Have you ever? This coffee and those little donuts almost look too good to eat!

Half Baked Harvest

Rice Pudding Tiramisu

This looks and sounds decedant, doesn't it? It's rice pudding and tiramisu turned into a pie. How deliciously clever! The coffee can be found in the ladyfingers which have been soaked in it. It's all topped off with a heaping layer of mascarpone whipped cream.

Foxes Love Lemons

Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream Coffee Cake

Oh my! The crust of this cake is brownies!!! This is a celebration cake if I ever saw one.

Food52

Coffee Pancakes

Here's an eye opener for breakfast or dinner! The pancakes are said to be tender and studded with mini chocolate chips. Then there is that coffee glaze! This a real treat. 

Dessert For Dinner

Maple & Coffee Glazed Bacon
All I can say is WOW! This recipe really takes bacon to another level. You bake the finest cut of bacon you can get your hands on. Thick cut is best, and it's my favorite. Perfect for your brunch set up, too. This is a must make.

The Worktop

Coffee Caramelized Croissant French Toast Sticks

Words can't really describe these French Toast Sticks. So I will just let you sit there and drool for a minute :)

Half Baked Harvest

Dolce&Gabbana

Moka Machine 6-Cup Coffee Maker

Don't we all need one of these? It's g great gift for a coffee, design and fashion lover.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Spiced Coffee and Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse happens to be my very favorite dessert. I have not tried this recipe. However, I do know that coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate. Sounds like a delicious flavor duo.

Adventures in Cooking

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Foodie Friday: The Flavors Of Fall

Come For Drinks!

 

In the summer, when the weather gets hot, happy hours might be the perfect party to plan. Invite your guests for a couple of hours, serve them something light and yummy, and don't forget a delicious drink or two. Here's inspiration for your next alfresco happy hour.

Summer Cobbler Cocktail

A haute "house cocktail" to have ready for guests. The interesting ingredients include white whiskey, Grand Marnier,  blackberries, blackberry preserves, and fresh lime juice.

Southern Living

Baked Chipotle Salmon Sushi Cups

These are just the cutest! And the salmon is actually baked, not raw at all. With bits of avocado and ginger, not to mention the chipotle mayo, this is something different that most will love.

Half Baked Harvest

Pea Pesto

Homemade Pesto is my favorite, and I grow my own basil and make the pesto, myself. But I have never made pea pesto! This is so bright and beautiful, it must be delish. They say that this recipe is so good, you could eat it with a spoon.  

Broma Bakery

Antipasto Tortellini Skewers With Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

What a pretty presentation this platter makes! Feel free to mix up your skewers - some with tomatoes, some without, just to accommodate your guests preferences. But do make sure you add that drizzle of vinaigrette at the end. The toasted bread will be great for dipping!

Half Baked Harvest

Golden Layered Piña Coladas

If I am going to indulge in an umbrella drink, it's always one of these. This may be the prettiest frozen drink ever!

Pineapple & Coconut

Heirloom Tomato Tart

If you are going to spotlight any one ingredient, it better be good. It's hard to beat heirloom tomatoes. The tart filling is of ricotta and basil. You won't need to serve another thing. 

Williams Sonoma

Salmon Nicoise With Charred Scallion Pesto

Here's a fun take on the classic Nicoise salad. It makes a pretty platter, and your guests can just take what they want. This dish is packed with protein, and probably all anyone needs. I think that this recipe will be unexpected.

Williams Sonoma

The Best Guacamole

Most people love guacamole. So why not serve it? But if you do, make sure it is the best guac ever. I looked at this recipe and noticed two ingredients that I don't add in mine - red onions and lime "zest." I can't wait to try these additions.

Love and Lemons

Rhubarb Mint Mojito

It's rhubarb season, So let's make a cocktail. It's a muddled drink, which is always fun to watch. The liquor is rum, and the presentation of so sophisticcated!

Broma Bakery

The Best Cerviche

On a hot summer day or night, cerviche seems just right. It's fresh fish cured with lime juice, tossed with cilantro, cucmber, tomato, and optional avocado. Since when is avocado ever really optional?  You can use almost any kind of fish you desire. Yum!

Feasting at Home

Everything Smoked Salmon Dip

Easy to make and so delicious to eat. In fact I suggest that you make a double batch. It's that good!

How Sweet Eats

Tomato Peach Crostini With Hot Bacon Dressing

The perfect recipe to highlight the stars of summer. Any kind of crostini  is always a hit with my guests. The tomatoes and peaches are served over grilled garlic bread that has been topped with goat cheese and basi. A chic choice.

Half Baked Harvest

Citrus Mezcal Cocktail

Who knew that Tequila's sister spirit could make such a chic cocktail? If you didn't know Mezcal is like tequila but smokey with a distinct personality of its' own.

Brit + Co

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Stylish Summer Host Gifts